CH 50

“Stay away from me,” Ren Shuhan said to Qu Chong.

Qu Chong, shamelessly standing by the table, took two steps, not only not retreating but getting even closer.

Ren Shuhan: “…”

Jiang Qingyue, feeling jealous, used his fingers to twirl his hair, looking out the window with a slightly unhappy expression. Ren Shuhan noticed this with a secret smile, thinking, “What’s there to be jealous of? But it’s so cute. After finishing today’s task, I’ll go back and pamper him.”

But today’s task didn’t want to finish.

Because Qu Chong was stubbornly refusing to leave.

The other two roommates of Shi Xi turned their heads, giving Shi Xi strange looks, wearing expressions of “Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?” They followed Ren Shuhan’s wheelchair, slightly moving back a bit. After that, they turned back simultaneously, as if nothing had happened, obediently sipping their tea.

Qu Chong, seeing this, thought, Wow, they’re so sensitive. I need to get even closer!

So, when Ren Shuhan was chasing people away, he suggested having a private talk.

At first, Ren Shuhan wasn’t afraid of him because his circle had passed by many unknown supporting characters yesterday, and today he even covered two famous supporting characters. So, the system quickly reminded:

“The second part of the patch has been installed, and the shielding radius has increased to 15 meters.”

Ren Shuhan planned to use the same trick again, explaining the “scientific principles” to Qu Chong and suggesting he take two steps back if he didn’t believe it.

However, this time, Qu Chong felt a sense of déjà vu and decided not to try.

“Save me, please! I want to live a normal life!” Qu Chong pitifully pleaded for a moment, then, realizing Ren Shuhan’s lack of expression and even thinking that he might be calling security, quickly switched tactics. He turned to Jiang Qingyue, tearfully pouring out his grievances.

“I’m at the age when I can finally date openly without hiding from my family. It’s the prime of my youth, and I just came out at school, making it widely known, all because I wanted to experience true love. Who would have thought it would end up like this…”

Ren Shuhan: “…”

What a fate! It’s just a fake relationship.

It’s as if I’ve been scammed of a kidney or something. Just because of this character, I sacrificed even my lower body. Have you seen what I’ve become? Being a model is beneath you; you’re truly a natural actor.

And you, using those two roommates and then discarding them? And you expect me to be moved by that… Huh, Ren Shuhan sneered. I’m not here to do charity; I’m a paranoid CEO. Saving the world can wait; no one can stop me from enjoying a private world with my wife.

But Jiang Qingyue fell for it.

Ren Shuhan raised his head and saw his wife with a face full of sadness, eyes shimmering with teardrops, looking at him with a tearful gaze. “He’s so pitiful. I was just as young and foolish as him in the beginning. Seven whole years have passed, and I haven’t been with the person I truly like.”

Ren Shuhan: Okay, I’ll buy into this.

“I don’t ask you to be with me all the time,” Qu Chong almost kneeled in front of Ren Shuhan. “Just guide me to a way out, even if it means facing danger and getting injured, I’ll work hard!”

“There is a way…” Ren Shuhan reluctantly said, “Since you’ve already signed with my company, come see me every day, and the effects will become more apparent over time.”

But dealing with Qu Chong would probably become more troublesome. Every time, he had to go through this act, which was downright annoying!

“There’s also a shortcut,” Ren Shuhan added, “Have you heard of Yan Huan?”

Jiang Qingyue covered his face.

It felt like his little uncle was using one victim to lure another.

Ren Shuhan had told Jiang Qingyue before that he could foresee the future, and Yan Huan was crucial. In the future, he would fall in love with Shi Xi. So, as long as they helped Yan Huan regain his sanity, everyone would be free. Yan Huan was an essential antagonist, and once he stepped out of the protagonist’s halo, the halo would be significantly weakened, preventing any counterattacks.

But Yan Huan hadn’t encountered Shi Xi yet. Pushing things deliberately would be like creating another victim.

Ren Shuhan didn’t want to do that, but he mentioned it to Qu Chong.

Sure enough, Qu Chong immediately said, “Deal! It’s better to endure short-term pain than prolonged suffering. He’s bound to face this calamity sooner or later. I promise to arrange their love story clearly and straightforwardly.”

So, today’s task was extended.

Jiang Qingyue pushed the wheelchair, taking Ren Shuhan to the door. Qu Chong and Wen Xin also stepped out, staying within the 15-meter range behind the door. Meanwhile, Shi Xi initiated a friendly conversation.

Qu Chong said, “Shi Xi, I still can’t afford to hire an assistant. I discussed it with Wen Xin just now, and she said the company could help me hire one. So, I need you to sign a contract with her.”

Shi Xi still wanted to sign, but Qu Chong whispered to him, “But I don’t want you to sign. It’s unnecessary. They took pictures of you yesterday, probably planning to train you as an actor in the future.”

Qu Chong also sent Shi Xi the photos from yesterday’s show.

Honestly, in Qu Chong’s opinion, these photos were just ordinary. The makeup was so heavy that you couldn’t even see the facial features clearly. It was hard to imagine that they would go viral on the internet.

But he still said against his will, “If you post this photo, many talent agencies will fight to sign you. Then you can compare the offers from different places. There’s no need to stay here as a small assistant.”

Shi Xi nodded, thinking he was right.

Ren Shuhan didn’t show any sincerity. He couldn’t just sign the contract like this.

But Wen Xin continued to persuade Shi Xi diligently, “If you want a contract similar to Qu Chong’s, it’s negotiable, and the treatment can be discussed.”

Shi Xi thought for a moment and asked, “What is the treatment for Chu Lu?”

“Well…” Wen Xin hesitated, “It involves personal privacy, and we can’t disclose that.”

Shi Xi was afraid that Chu Lu’s treatment might be better than his.

Wen Xin didn’t answer his question, continued to persuade him, and in the end, Shi Xi said he would consider it again. Everyone dispersed, leaving only Qu Chong with other matters to discuss.

That night, Shi Xi found an internet cafe and secretly uploaded his photos. He wanted to test the waters, and indeed, the clicks and reposts surged rapidly, showing signs of becoming popular.

On the other hand, Jiang Qingyue felt that something was not quite right.

In the evening, after finally shaking off Qu Chong, Jiang Qingyue and Ren Shuhan arranged for Qu Chong to stay in the company. They returned home, and Jiang Qingyue nestled on the living room sofa, absentmindedly browsing the news with a somewhat unhappy expression.

“What’s wrong?” Ren Shuhan knew him well, lying on his lap and asking, “Are you dissatisfied with Qu Chong’s fishing expedition?”

Jiang Qingyue looked at him helplessly.

Who was fishing? Clearly, it was you who was fishing.

“I just thought that if Shi Xi becomes famous this time, and Yan Huan actively pursues him, falling in love with him, and then we restore everything to normal, the psychological gap for Shi Xi must be huge.”

The original story unfolds in this way, serving as a setup for Yan Huan’s betrayal, as he didn’t manage to poach Ren Shuhan. Since Shi Xi chose to work at Ren Shuhan’s company, Yan Huan harbored resentment, eventually saying, “Why can’t I have it?”

Ren Shuhan innocently stated, “I’ve already deleted his photos once. Now it’s Shi Xi’s own choice. If he wants to enter the entertainment industry, let him. Whether he becomes famous or not will depend on his abilities. What’s wrong with letting him compete fairly with others?”

Jiang Qingyue was a bit confused, unsure if what he said was correct. “In fact, Shi Xi just wants the plot from the original story. The desire for undeserved gains is something everyone has, but he has the ability to make it happen.”

“It’s impossible to stick to the original story all the time,” Ren Shuhan’s tone became increasingly bitter. “Do you sympathize with him? Who sympathizes with us? Is the world fair to you or to me without change?”

Moreover, Qu Chong’s plan only accelerated the relationship between Yan Huan and Shi Xi. The specific outcomes would depend on Shi Xi’s personal choices.

Since Shi Xi knew the plot, knew what he wanted, he should be responsible for his choices.

“That makes sense,” Jiang Qingyue gently stroked his forehead, pushing his disheveled hair up.

“We can’t control everything. Without the aura of the original story, he can still live a good life.”

In the original story, Jiang Qingyue ended up in a miserable state. He had spent a lot of money pursuing Shi Xi, and after entering the pursuit zone, his expenses increased even more. When Shi Xi later appeared on a show, he described his ex-boyfriend as a squandering rural tycoon who didn’t understand respect. At that time, Jiang Qingyue’s family had gone bankrupt, and he wanted to ask Shi Xi, who had already become successful, for some money. However, seeing him on the show, he felt the gazes of others judging him, so he turned away in desolation.

And he wasn’t even the most pitiful. The worst fate befell Chu Lu and Yan Huan.

Chu Lu was put on Ren Shuhan’s blacklist, making it impossible for him to find part-time jobs while still in school. After graduating, he couldn’t find a job and could only work in a bar, serving tea and water. Later, he encountered Shi Xi, who came to the bar looking radiant to have a drink. Chu Lu went forward, wanting to scratch Shi Xi’s face, but he was beaten up by Shi Xi’s bodyguards and thrown into the bathroom.

But Chu Lu wasn’t originally that kind of person.

As for Yan Huan, he was completely ruined. Before the reversal of roles, he crazily provided resources to Shi Xi every day, indirectly supporting Shi Xi’s relationship with Ren Shuhan. He was responsible for making Ren Shuhan jealous. After the role reversal, instead of focusing on the successful CEO, he seized the opportunity to illegally detain Shi Xi for a whopping 48 hours. However, he inexplicably refrained from approaching Shi Xi until Ren Shuhan found him. Eventually, Yan Huan ended up in jail.

Maybe the current Shi Xi is different from the original story. Let him follow his own path and not rely on others to support him.

At this moment, Yan Huan, who was reading the news, suddenly sneezed.

His eyes lit up, and he became interested in a young model.

Dang i do feel bad for some of the “original” protagonists… sometimes… lol they just stick so much to the plot/their described fate that they fail to notice or admit that anything changes.